Dillard could be the leader Cowboys need

Here’s another reason why the Cowboys should take a long, hard look at drafting Rice wide receiver Jarett Dillard: He’s an excellent leader.

No team needs leaders more than the Cowboys, and Dillard was a captain for the Owls his last three seasons.

“When have you ever heard of a sophomore being a captain?” Rice coach David Bailiff told me in a phone interview today. “He has a tremendous leadership skills.

He’s not afraid to talk. He’ll let (his teammates) know what is on his mind, and he’ll let them know if he doesn’t think they’re working hard enough.”

NFL.com analyst Gil Brandt says the sure-handed Dillard reminds him of Hall of Famer Steve Largent. Brandt said it’s also impressive to see how Dillard transfers the basketball skills he learned at Sam Houston High School to the football field.

“He’s always in line with the quarterback and that’s because of his basketball skills,” Brandt said.

Dillard had a sub-par 40 time at the combine (4.54) seconds, but his vertical jump (42 1/2 feet) was the best among the receivers.